Archive

Out of the blocks – STEM Challenge 10

March 28, 2012 - 8:45 am

Imagine planning a major sporting event near your school!

Cisco and STEMNET are challenging 11 to 16-year-olds to use their maths and science skills to plan a major sporting event in their local area.

Go to www.mathsandscience2012.co.uk/challenge2012 to find all the details and a step-by-step guide to the challenge, including:

  • Teacher notes
  • A starter activity
  • Presentation advice
  • Videos of Olympic athletes introducing Challenge 2012
  • Videos of organisers explaining the design and construction of London 2012 sites
  • Olympic and Paralympic sports fact-sheets

Bring London 2012 to life in your classroom!

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National Science and Engineering Week Events – North East England

February 24, 2012 - 4:03 pm

Here’s a quick run-down of National Science and Engineering Week events open to the public and schools in the North East. Click on the links to view full descriptions of the events

National Science & Engineering Week: Events and activities for everyone, 9–18 March 2012

In 2012, National Science & Engineering Week explores “our world in motion.”

National Science & Engineering Week shines the spotlight each March on how science, technology, engineering and maths relate to our everyday lives and helps to inspire the next generation of scientists with fun and participative activities.

With over 4,500 events and activities attended by 1.7 million people in 2011 and generating over £1m in press coverage, this is the UK’s widest grassroots celebration of all things science and engineering. You can join the celebration by attending an event or taking part in our national activities.

EWB-UK Outreach Workshops

Date(s): 23rd February 2012 (21:00) to 31st December 2012 (21:00)

Behind the Scenes Tours of the Natural Science Stores
Date(s): 17th March 2012 (10:00) to 17th March 2012 (11:30)
Date(s): 17th March 2012 (11:00) to 17th March 2012 (12:30)

Lecture: Evolution, Extinction and The Lost Humans
Date(s): 15th March 2012 (18:00) to 15th March 2012 (19:00)

Saving the Spoon-Billed Sandpiper
Date(s): 13th March 2012 (19:00) to 13th March 2012 (20:15)

Tackling Species Extinction
Date(s): 12th March 2012 (19:00) to 12th March 2012 (20:15)

Red Kite Ramble
Date(s): 10th March 2012 (10:00) to 10th March 2012 (13:00)

A Great Late Night
Date(s): 10th March 2012 (18:00) to 10th March 2012 (22:00)

The Engineering Challenges of Sustainable Transport
Date(s): 14th March 2012 (18:15) to 14th March 2012 (20:30)

Designing the Dynamic
Date(s): 8th March 2012 (09:00) to 15th March 2012 (17:00)

ScienceFest Weekender
Date(s): 10th March 2012 (10:00) to 11th March 2012 (18:00)

Armstrong the Electrical Wizard
Date(s): 14th March 2012 (11:00) to 14th March 2012 (13:00)
Date(s): 14th March 2010 (14:00) to 14th March 2010 (16:00)

Nature Party at Moorbank Botanic Garden
Date(s): 11th March 2012 (14:00) to 11th March 2012 (17:00)

Newcastle ScienceFest12
Date(s): 8th March 2012 (10:00) to 15th March 2012 (22:00)

Undress: Redress
Date(s): 8th February 2012 (09:00) to 7th April 2012 (23:00)

A Real CSI/Forensic Science Investigation
Date(s): 12th March 2012 (08:00) to 23rd March 2012 (15:00)

Behind the Scenes: Hydro Walk
Date(s): 15th March 2012 (11:00) to 15th March 2012 (13:00)

Just Add Water
Date(s): 11th March 2012 (11:00) to 11th March 2012 (15:00)
Date(s): 17th March 2012 (11:00) to 17th March 2012 (15:00)

CSI Forensic Science Investigation Workshop KS2, KS3, KS4
Date(s): 9th March 2012 (09:00) to 18th March 2012 (16:00)

The Thomas Hepburn
Date(s): 15th March 2012 (10:00) to 15th March 2012 (17:00)

Rocks from Space
Date(s): 16th March 2012 (19:30) to 16th March 2012 (21:00)

Night Sky Observing
Date(s): 16th March 2012 (21:00) to 16th March 2012 (22:30)
Date(s): 16th March 2012 (21:00) to 16th March 2012 (22:30)

Cleveland & Darlington Astronomical Society Meeting
Date(s): 9th March 2012 (19:15) to 9th March 2012 (21:00)

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Science made simple tour

February 22, 2012 - 3:06 pm

Science made simple, an award winning science communication company, is delighted to announce a tour week of heavily subsidised engineering show days in your area thanks to funding from the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology).

They will be visiting schools in North East England from 30th April to 4th May. The shows available to schools in the area will be A Rough Guide to Engineering (KS3).

A show day can comprise of up to three performances in total. This whole day of shows is available to schools for just £75+VAT. The shows are performed in the school hall and can be presented to as many pupils as you choose to bring to the venue.

For more information and to book: www.sciencemadesimple.co.uk

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Newcastle Science City Showcase event

April 19, 2011 - 11:01 am

A celebration of the innovative science happening in our region

Venue: Scotswood Suite, Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne
Date: 17 May 2011
Time: 12noon – 5pm

 

Newcastle is a proud city of science. Driving forward the development of electric vehicles, playing a leading role in identifying causes and prevention of Alzheimer’s and pioneering cutting-edge stem cell research into the diagnosis and treatment of cancer – just some of the innovative science activities that are happening right here in Newcastle.

To showcase these activities Newcastle Science City are bringing the city’s science excellence to life under one roof, at the International Centre for Life on 17 May between 12noon and 5pm. The venue will come alive with a vibrant exhibition of the work happening across our region giving schoolchildren and the local community the chance to meet with scientists and get behind their discoveries through models, films, presentations, even taking part in a real-life experiment!

On the day we’ll be joined by special guest Steve Mould, Blue Peter’s resident scientist, who will be bringing science to life using his unique, engaging style that has won the hearts of children and adults alike.

This event is a must for anyone studying science at school, thinking of a career in a scientific area or those who simply enjoy seeing science in action!

If your school would like to attend please provide; your school name, how many children you will be bringing and your estimated time of arrival at the event via email to helen.mcloughlin@newcastlesciencecity.com

(Please note it is anticipated that each school will need 1.5 hours to see the exhibition in full)

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World Water Day

March 28, 2011 - 2:49 pm

As you know, water is a basic requirement for all life, yet water resources are facing increasing demands and competition from users. The UN General Assembly assigned 22 March of each year as the World Day for Water after the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992. Since 1995 World Water Day has been celebrated across the world, raising the issues related to water. In 2011 there were over 600 World Water Day events being held around the world, one of which was at Kenton School.

Water for the World

Water for the World

Over 100 people from 12 primary schools across Tyne and Wear turned up to support World Water Day and to gain a greater awareness of water scarcity issues. A range of entertaining workshops were on display to get stuck in to; from scientific experiments to mapping water scarcity on Google Maps to throwing cups of water at sixth formers – the latter being very popular! Many thanks are in order for the workshop deliverers including: the Environment Agency, Newcastle University, TDR, Kenton School, Sir Charles Parsons Primary School, WaterAid as well as SCENE Ambassadors from Newcastle College Sixth Form.

Soaking the Sixth Former

Soaking the Sixth Former

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Share your passion for IT

March 24, 2011 - 2:28 pm

Are you an employer or IT professional who wants to use your skills and experience to help inspire the next generation? Get involved with IT education by signing up for e-skills UK’s IT Ambassadors scheme.

Why IT Ambassadors?
Fewer students than ever are choosing to study IT-related degrees at university and the sector is experiencing shortages as a result. IT Ambassadors aims to harness the enthusiasm of people who work in technology to inspire more students to take up rewarding careers in IT.

Who can get involved?
From games designers to business analysts, software developers to project managers, IT professionals at any stage of their careers can become IT Ambassadors.

What will I be doing?
You’ll be supporting IT education and careers activity in schools and colleges across the UK. Ways you can get involved include:

  • giving a careers talk in schools
  • hosting visits to your company for students
  • providing information about your company for a student careers website
  • providing work experience for students

How IT Ambassadors works

1. Find an activity
Businesses and individuals can explore the e-skills activity pages to find a suitable way to get involved with schools. If you’re an individual volunteer, you can find something that matches your interests, experience and availability. If you’re a company you can find a range of activities designed to suit a variety of business interests.

2. Get advice and guidance
A range of resources to help you engage with schools are available. Everything from templates to case studies and guides are available for download on the e-skills activity pages.

3. Connect with a school
The IT Ambassadors scheme is a partner of the STEM Ambassador programme. You can find a local school to work with through STEMNET’s network of schools. For Tyne and Wear schools contact stempoint@ncl-coll.ac.uk

If you’re planning to work on an individual basis with students in schools you’ll be eligible for a free CRB check as part of the STEM Ambassador programme.

Visit: www.e-skills.com/itambassadors
Start exploring our activity pages to find a way you can get involved with IT Ambassadors.

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OPAL Climate Roadshow

February 28, 2011 - 11:22 am

The Open Air Laboratories network (OPAL) is launching a new Climate Survey this March, and as part of the launch OPAL North East will be hosting the OPAL Climate Roadshow for one week only.

The Roadshow will be a great opportunity to learn more about our changing climate and weather systems, through exciting hands-on experiments and activities. With the help of professional meteorologists, visitors will explore the science behind the weather, and gain a better understanding of the impact that a changing climate may have on our everyday lives.

For those who already work in relevant areas, the Roadshow can help to inspire new ways of communicating important climate issues to the wider public, and will be an excellent opportunity to discuss your thoughts and have your questions answered by our meteorologists.

The Roadshow will run from Monday 14th until Friday 18th March at the Claremont Quad, Claremont Road. Monday and Friday are open to all to drop-in and take part in the Roadshow Activities, any time from 10am-5pm.

There are also have a limited number of private sessions available for booking by groups (max. 35). Each session runs for 90 minutes and will be led by the meteorologists and OPAL NE Education officers. Slots available are:

Tuesday 15th March: 14.30-16.00
Wednesday 16th March: 14.30-16.00
Thursday 17th March: 9.00-10.30

For more information or to book a session for your group please contact Chloe Booth at chloe.booth@newcastle.ac.uk

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Meet the Land Speed Record Holder

February 23, 2011 - 10:06 am

The Leaders Award for STEM and BLOODHOUND SSC invite you to…

Meet and Interview Wing Commander Andy Green
the World Land Speed Record Holder!

Introducing Wing Commander Andy Green, the man who is aiming to break the world land speed record by driving the BLOODHOUND SSC car to 1000 mph!

Andy Green already holds the current World land speed record of just over 763 mph and was the first person ever to break the sound barrier on land!

This is your chance to bring Andy Green into your school and interview him as part of the Leaders and Reporters Award for STEM!

Give your students an insight into the BLOODHOUND SSC Project whilst they learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics!

What questions would you ask?

How to enter:

  1. Schools must register with the Leaders Award by clicking here.
  2. A joint letter from students about why Andy Green should come into their school!
  3. A covering letter from the Head teacher/ teacher.
  4. All letters to be sent electronically to editor@leadersaward.com

Andy will review the letters and visit the schools with the most persuasive argument!

For further information visit: Leaders Award Website

Closing date: 30th May 2011

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The Wetsuit Challenge in Sunderland

February 8, 2011 - 10:56 am

Take 12 students from Thornhill School (STEM Club members) add one STEM Ambassador as an expert (Dave Burton from Siemens) and give them a full day to face the Wetsuit Challenge. The outcome? A completely new wetsuit design for a paratriathlete Jimmy Goddard!

STEM Challenges (www.stemchallenges.net) are series of competitions that have been inspired by London 2012. Each Challenge will focus on a different aspect of the preparations or the event itself. The Challenge number 5 was to design a new wetsuit for Jimmy, a British paratriathlete who is paralysed from the chest down. He can’t move his legs, but still swims and takes part in triathlon!

Year 9 students from Thornhill started their work one week before the final took place. They met with their teacher Daniel Abraham every day after school to discuss the Challenge and even used own initiative to phone companies and got some samples of materials!

The real Challenge started on Monday 7th February at 9am. After few brainstorms and online research they came out with some brilliant ideas! Students had to finish their work and came up with the final design by 2pm when a judging session with 3 STEM Ambassadors began.

2 teams with 6 students each presented final outcomes in front of the judging panel and answered questions related to their projects. The judges were impressed with “incredible clear & well-rehearsed presentations” and the fact that both teams “knew exactly what they were talking about” plus had “great use of ICT”. The final scores for the teams were very high: first – 114 and second – 127 (out of 150 points). The judges said at the end: “All members were enthusiastic, worked really well as a team and seemed to respect each other. Well done!”

Students also entered Bronze CREST Award with their Wetsuit project. They finished the day at 3.30pm and everyone (students and judges) went home happy!

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The Big Bang North East 2011

February 1, 2011 - 10:06 am

Excite, Inspire, Celebrate…

The Big Bang North East 2011
New College Durham, 12 July 2011

Book Now!

Join us for a celebration of science, engineering and maths in the North East
- Enter pupil project work to win cash prizes and places at The Big Bang 2012
- Bring a group of pupils for a fun, exciting and inspirational day out

Enter the Competition
Do your pupils have science, engineering or maths project work they want to show off? The Big Bang North East includes the regional heats for Young Engineers for Britain, CREST awards and the National Science & Engineering Competition. There is over £1500 prize money up for grabs and the best 10 projects will win a place at the prestigious national fair, The Big Bang 2012.
Find out more and register here www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/northeast

Visit the fair
Bring a group of pupils for a fun, FREE, day out. Visit the fair for a full, or half, day and enjoy an exciting science show, hands-on workshops and inspirational talks from young people who have succeeded in STEM. Groups will also tour the competition stands – perhaps it will inspire them enter The Big Bang North East in 2012!
Find out more and book here www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/northeast

Places for the competition and visitors are limited so register now to make sure you don’t miss out. www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/northeast

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Electric Car Racing event

December 2, 2010 - 2:07 pm

Electric car racing event – Wednesday 6 July 2011 at Croft Circuit, Darlington

Your school is invited to participate in this exciting Greenpower electric car racing event. Your school still has time to get involved, to design, build and race an electric car.

Greenpower is dedicated to promoting engineering and technology as a career option to students aged 9 to 25 in any form of full or part-time education. This is achieved through unique hands on projects to design, build and race an electric car, with the support of an engineering ambassador.

By taking part in the competition, all participants are given an insight into the real, tangible world of science and engineering. The competition is very popular, which stands as a testament to its unique approach to engineering and its ability to bring together and excite young people from a variety of different areas and backgrounds.

Not only does Greenpower approach the idea of science and engineering from a less mainstream direction than normal lessons or after school clubs, it also encourages creativity and most importantly enthusiasm and cooperation in problem solving invaluable skills for any young person. For the school getting involved will bring the following:

-          A project which can be used to enhance the engineering diploma or CREST award or other STEM activities.

-          Links with Mechanical, Electrical and Design engineers as mentors.

-          National and regional recognition.

-          A visit to North east school that has already taken part to share experience.

  

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers is delighted to offer continued support to Greenpower. Participation in this exciting challenge requires teamwork, engineering skills, commitment and enthusiasm.

If you are willing to give your students a brilliant opportunity to get involved in a project like this and would like to receive more information about how to enter this Websites:

Institution of Mechanical Engineers – http://imeche.org/ Greenpower

http://www.greenpower.co.uk/ 

Email: info@greenpower.co.uk 

Tel: 01243 552305

If you would like to enter the competition then please contact Julie Harrison on 07899 050767 or email julieharrison@a4e.co.uk.

Please note: pupils will also be able to attend that are not participating in the actual design and build programme. Further details about this will be sent to schools nearer to the time.

 NORTH EAST REGION In partnership with IMechE North East

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The National Big Bang Fair

November 25, 2010 - 2:51 pm

Congratulations are in order for 10 projects from schools in the North East who competed in the regional Big Bang fair in July. They are going forward to compete in the National Science and Engineering competition at the Big Bang fair held at London’s ExceL on 10th – 12th March 2011. Shows including ‘Brainiac Live’, ‘Bang Goes the Theory’ and activities like ‘Amoeba to Zebra’, ‘The Ever Wondered Why Roadshow’, ‘Grow Your Own Body Parts’ and ‘Hydraulics for Frolics’ will be taking place at the event.

For more information on The Big Bang fair, to register your attendance and book tickets please visit www.thebigbangfair.co.uk.  

Congratulations and the best of luck to the following schools and their projects:

School

Project

Central Newcastle High School

EES Project

Emmanuel College

Automatic Curtain

Emmanuel College

The Nyctolight

Emmanuel College

Frequetherapy

Emmanuel College

Electronic Musical Keyboard

Emmanuel College

Electronic Safety Device for Bike Users to Wear

Newminster Middle School

Which Tattoos Last the Longest

Queen Elizabeth High School

Gun Barrel Movement on a Challenger Tank

Sacred Heart High School

Liver Disease

St Bede’s RC School

Safety First Warning Lights

 

STEM Outreach would also like to congratulate and wish the best of luck to Corylus Learning’s Colin Wilkinson and Sarah McLusky at Sparks Education who will be co-ordinating the Big Bang North East at New College Durham on 12th July 2011. For more information on next year’s regional Big Bang fair feel free to contact Colin at colin@coryluslearning.com or Sarah at sarah@sparkseducation.co.uk or visit www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/northeast/

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Renewables don’t run out

November 19, 2010 - 10:45 am

The Association for Science Education (NE Region)

presents:

 

Renewables don’t run out

 

Thursday 25 November 2010, 4.30–6pm

Whitehouse Primary School

Dunelm Road, Elm Tree Farm, Stockton on Tees, TS19 0TS

 

Presenter: Michele Smale, Advisory Teacher, Children Challenging Industry in Yorkshire, CIEC, Department of Chemistry, University of York

Target Audience: Primary School Teachers

Synopsis: This practical workshop is aimed at teachers of upper KS2 looking for an innovative approach to scientific enquiry of green plants and their technological applications in a changing environment. Set in the real life context of industry’s need to look for renewable fuels and energy sources, children explore sunflowers and other oil rich seed plants to understand their potential in this cutting edge field of science.

Participants will have the opportunity to try out a sequence of practical explorations and investigations that follow the story of the sunflower from seed to oil, fuel and lubricants. There are opportunities to see how these activities link closely to assessment using APP, participants will see how this resource supports the AF2, understanding the applications and implications of science, strand.

 

Booking is not essential but it would be very helpful if you could let the Field Officer know if you (and any colleagues) are attending. Contact Lyn Bossons at lynbossons@ase.org.uk or on 0191 3737753.

This meeting is free and open to non-members.

Tea/coffee and biscuits will be available from 4pm onwards.

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F1 in Schools Curriculum Resource

November 5, 2010 - 10:12 am
Pearson Publishing is pleased to announce the launch of an exciting resource that promotes STEM in schools.
 
 The ‘F1 in Schools Curriculum Resource’ enables students to follow the steps that a professional team would take in preparing to race a car.

It prepares students for the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge, a multi-disciplinary contest in which teams of students use computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacture (CAM) software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and then race miniature balsa wood racing cars powered by compressed gas.

Intended to develop students’ interest in, and knowledge of, engineering and design, the ‘F1 in Schools Curriculum Resource’ enables schools to run a cross-curricular project. It is an excellent way to move STEM work from after-school clubs to timetabled classroom activities, and thereby give STEM more prominence in school life.

The resource is provided online, and an annual subscription costs just £295+VAT per school. Discounts are available if several schools purchase together; please contact us for further details. You can also encourage schools in your area to subscribe by sending them the following link to an information site, which is at: http://www.parsonpublishing.co.uk/fscr/ 

To view a brief demonstration of the ‘F1 in Schools Curriculum Resource’ (Bloodhound SSC), enter the user name ‘demo’ and the password ‘password’ at: http://fscr.pearson.co.uk 

To subscribe, a school should print out, complete and return the order form provided at: http://www.pearsonpublishing.co.uk/fscr/subscribe

This edition of the ‘F1 in Schools Curriculum Resource’ is for the 9-14 age group and Bloodhound SSC level of the challenge; subsequent editions for the F1 Class level will be available shortly.

To express your interest in editions for the 11-14 or 15-19 age group at the F1 Class level of the challenge, or for any other queries about the ‘F1 in Schools Curriculum Resource’, please email fscr@pearson.co.uk or call 01223 350555.

Pearson Publishing

Tel 01223 350555

Fax 01223 356484

www.pearsonpublishing.co.uk

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Oceans of Opportunity – Your Future in Science and Technology

October 29, 2010 - 4:39 pm

The Oceans of Opportunity event is being held on Wednesday 1st December 2010 at Newcastle University. It will be attended by an estimated 600-700 pupils aged 15-18yrs, from schools and colleges around the NE region and further afield.

Schools can sign up to a range of stimulating, interactive activities that bring science learning to life, participate in an engaging debate, and find out more about the fantastic careers and courses on offer. A wide range of high profile companies and employers will be represented at the event with many challenging and exciting careers showcased.

There are a number of different options available to your school/college, as there are different elements that make up the event.

The options are:

  • Attend the morning session (10am-1pm) which will include chance to participate in two hands-on activities, the opportunity to speak to organisations and companies offering courses or careers in marine, maritime and science based fields at the Careers Exhibition, and the chance to be involved in the debate.
  • Attend the afternoon session (12-3pm), and participating in the activities described above.
  • Participate in the Careers Exhibition only – from 10am-12pm
  • Participate in the Careers Exhibition only – from 1-3pm

 As part of your session, students will get the opportunity to participate in two activities out of a choice of four.

  Activity
  1.  
Show off or blend in:  What is the best strategy?  The role of colour, light and shape in adaptations to the challenges of the marine environment.
  1.  
Environmentally Friendly Oil Slick The oil disaster challenge! 
  1.  
Sink or Swim? Ship design and PropulsionGet stuck into marine technology in the laboratory.
  1.  
Marine Biology in Action!An introduction to life in our seas. 

 

To ensure your school/college’s participation in the Oceans of Opportunity event, please complete the form below by 4pm on the Tuesday, 2nd November 2010 and return it to Annie Cunningham at annie.cunningham@ncl.ac.uk or post to Annie Cunningham, Dove Marine Laboratory, School of Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle University, Cullercoats, North Shields, NE30 4PZ.

Please complete the following details to register:

 

School Name:
Contact name:
Telephone: Fax:
Best time to phone:
Email:

 

No. of places required in total: No. of KS4 pupils: No. of Post-16 pupils:

 

  

Please number the options below in order of preference, put a cross against any options you cannot attend.

Session 1- 4 or X
Morning full session 10am-1pm   
Afternoon full session 12-3pm  
Morning Careers Exhibition 10am-12pm  
Afternoon Careers Exhibition 1-3pm  

 

 If you are attending a full morning or afternoon session, please specify your activity preferences below and we will do our best to accommodate your top choices.

Activity 1- 4
Activity 1   
Activity 2  
Activity 3  
Activity 4  

 

If you have any questions or queries please contact Annie Cunningham on the above email address.

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NCETM Updates

- 4:31 pm

The Regional Projects Programme 

Do you have a question or issue you would like to explore in your own teaching? Are you interested in applying for some funding to support you in some aspect of teacher enquiry / action research? 

The NCETM Regional Project Programme has proved very successful over the last two years in helping people to get started on such projects and supporting them through the process of application, development and final report writing.

See the portal for details of current and previous projects such as the Throckley Primary Lesson Study, Stockton Riverside College Collaborative Mathematics, Garforth Community College Dialogic Teaching or the Durham LA Developing Pedagogy network. 

Your regional STEM Champion is looking for case studies and inviting you to apply for Action Research funding NCETM are looking for case studies to promote effective practice in the region across the STEM subjects (Science, Engineering and Mathematics). Each successful project will qualify for a £500 grant from the regional STEM priority fund.

 Your regional STEM Champion is also inviting bids for £1000 from your organisation to support Action Research Projects. Application is through the LSIS funding portal via the LSIS Excellence Gateway.

 Other LSIS funding is also available to apply for during October /November.
STEM Cascade training – £1000 to create more teaching and learning change agents within the STEM subjects, with a minimum of 10 new change agents being trained.
STEM CPD – £1000 to explore one or two STEM subject areas – aimed at those starting to explore improved teaching and learning in STEM.
Step Up in STEM – £5000 to explore two or more STEM subject areas e.g. through CPD, curriculum development, action based research – aimed at those with experience of the STEM and / or Teaching and Learning Programme.

Contact your NE STEM champions for further information:
Stephen Hill, Redcar & Cleveland College of FE shill@cleveland.ac.uk
Neil Godfrey, Hartlepool college of FE ngodfrey@hartlepoolfe.ac.uk

Calling all maths subject leaders in the post-16 sector

 

A final reminder about the first NCETM national online seminar for mathematics subject leaders in the post-16 sector.  In the seminar we will:
address some of the big issues that post-16 subject leaders face;
suggest resources that can support you in the role;
give you the chance to hear from other subject leaders and share your experiences and challenges;
offer you the opportunity to join a continuing post-16 subject leaders’ network.
Aspiring subject leaders are also very welcome.

 All in the comfort of your own home … and with no travelling and no cover costs. Pour yourself a cuppa, pull up a chair, and join in.
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 3 November from 8.00 to 9.00pm. If you are interested in joining one of these meetings and/or would like to know more, please contact Phillipa Marshall. There is a limit of around 20 places and they are going fast, so you are advised to apply early.

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Create Sport Challenge

October 13, 2010 - 10:29 am

Can your students work as a team, design a community sports venue and overcome engineering problems?

Want them to have fun putting science, engineering, maths and technology to the test? Then it’s time to take on the Create Sport Challenge

What is it?

The Create Sport Challenge is a FREE national competition. It allows 12/13 year old students to work in teams with a built environment professional to complete a challenging project that introduces real-world problems to the classroom.

Why take part?

Your students will:

  • Get active input and guidance from a working professional
  • Use their creativity and curriculum knowledge to overcome a range of engineering problems
  • Become more aware of the world around them and understand the things engineers do every day to solve worldwide and local issues
  • Develop skills in project management, design & technology, communication, presentation and organisation

What will your students do?

  • Work together as a team (20 to 30 hours for CREST awards)
  • Create a design for a community sports venue
  • Build a model of the venue
  • Write a detailed report of the different project stages and the problems encountered
  • Use the competition website and social networking tools to help with the project

What’s the prize?

Teams will be judged regionally and the best will be invited to present their work at a grand final in June 2011 at the Institution of Civil Engineers in London. The prize for 1st place will be £1,000 for the school of the winning team. Prizes for other places include a school visit by an athlete and a trip to a major sporting venue.

What next?

For more information and how to enter see the Create Sport Challenge website at createsport.org.uk or email at challenge@createsport.org.uk

Don’t miss out, sign your students up today!

Create Sport Challenge flyer

Create Sport Challenge – Overview

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LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!

October 8, 2010 - 2:37 pm

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!

County Durham based multimedia specialists Lush Places Media have created a unique and interactive TV workshop using cutting edge technology.

A portable television studio with the latest ‘virtual’ computer generated set gives groups a rare opportunity to experience life in the high pressure world of broadcast news.

The course, flexible enough to appeal to primary school children through to college students and corporate team building teams, gives an insight into the decisions that need to be taken to ensure a programme gets ‘on air’ to deadline.

Groups will have to use teamwork, leadership and decision making skills to choose the content and write scripts. Everyone will then audition in front of the camera and autocue before final roles are allocated as the clock counts down towards transmission.

The final programme will be recorded ‘as live’ and made available to the client. Everyone involved will leave with a laminated certificate to prove they have taken part in Lush Places Media’s Lights! Camera! Action! experience.

Lights! Camera! Action! feeds into the curriculum with elements of IT, English, communications, arithmetic, media literacy and raising self-esteem.

For schools and colleges no worrying about transport costs and form filling. Lights! Camera! Action! comes to them, providing value for money and flexibility.

The sessions will be led by award winning journalist, broadcaster, presenter and multimedia trainer Andrew Glover, Director of Lush Places Media.

Contact andrew@lushplacesmedia.com

07798 744529
01388 488918
Spence House, Hamsterley, County Durham DL13 3QF

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Activities from the Dove Marine Laboratory

September 10, 2010 - 11:28 am

Over the summer we have run our “Splashdown” summer schools.

This year, we ran two week long schools, one for Key Stage 2 and one for Key stage 3 pupils.

Children come for 5 days and get involved in science explorations of the natural environment. We focus strongly on marine habitats, but also investigate rivers, woodland and sand dune habitats. Pupils can use our microscope, aquarium and science facilities to plan their own projects, and in past years, these have been submitted for Crest awards. The week is very enjoyable with plenty of opportunities for fun, and to make new friends.

There is a fee involved and registration forms for next year’s summer school will be downloadable from our website, certainly from February 2011 onwards. There are some places offered for free and schools can contact us to find out more information regarding these.

We are planning our “Inspiring Oceans” careers event for 1st December. This will be a repeat of last year’s great success where lots of companies from science, technology and marine related organisations come along to offer advice, and hands-on activities to school groups. There will be bookable interactive activities, careers talks, and lots of prizes to be won. This event is free of charge, but booking is essential. It is aimed at pupils of 14-15 years and older.

We are also holding a “Marine Science conference” on Wednesday 15th December 2010 open to A-level Biology students. The conference has been organised by a committee of final year Marine Science undergraduates with speakers from a range of universities in the north. The day will be run in the style of a scientific conference with poster sessions and information stands.

WE are advertising our “X-factor” competition, which is spelt “ECS factor” – Environmental Consultancy Solutions. Teams (up to 4 pupils) can register to participate, and will role-play as a team of scientists working to solve a particular problem. They should identify a topic of their own choosing related to the marine environment.

This could be:

· a study of a given species or habitat,

· it could be a threat to marine diversity,

· or a problem related to food harvesting from the oceans,

· it could also be a technology or engineering problem related to the marine environment,

· perhaps something to do with renewable energy

· the topics are limitless as long as they are related to marine issues.

The pupils should research this topic and come up with solutions to the problem.

Guidelines can be sent out on competition submission criteria.

Winning teams (submission deadline is in early March 2011) will get a day out at sea on the University’s new research vessel to conduct scientific surveys of marine habitats with a team of professional marine biologists.

We also offer a comprehensive programme of activities for schools on STEM activities. Schools can book challenging and well structured days throughout the year. These can be fieldcourse or lab-class based. We accommodate all age groups.

For more information please visit http://www.ncl.ac.uk/marine/learning/ and contact Jane Delany the Dove Marine Outreach co-ordinator j.e.delany@newcastle.ac.uk

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Activities from Centre for Life

- 11:03 am

At Centre for Life there are opportunities for students of all ages, from reception class to sixth form, to discover more about science through exciting, hands-on activities. We offer a programme of over 90 curriculum-linked science workshops, available on demand throughout the year and covering topics from electricity to Ancient Egyptian mummification. For more information see our website www.life.org.uk/education and if we don’t have what you’re looking for just contact education@life.org.uk or call (0191) 243 8211.

We have some exciting opportunities for sixth-formers coming up this term. A-level Biology classes can take part in our new, cutting edge PCR workshop, ‘A Question of Taste’ and for those interested in medicine, we are running our popular Mini Medical School, a six-week evening course featuring local university experts starting on 7th October (details at www.life.org.uk/life-science-centre).

For those wanting to do some science in their spare time, our Science Club for 6-14 year olds involves hands-on experiments and things to make around a different theme each month (details at www.life.org.uk – search for Science Club). New for this year are our weekend Science Sessions for teenagers (13 and above). No membership is required to attend the sessions, anyone interested can join the Facebook group (Newcastle ScienceSessions) or sign up to the mailing list on sciencesessions@life.org.uk and book into sessions that they’d like to attend. Topics for science sessions are decided collaboratively between Life staff and the participants and have included DNA Fingerprinting, make your own robot and (very) Energetic Chemistry.

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Science Clubs at the Centre for Life

August 25, 2010 - 1:01 pm

For anyone who doesn’t get enough science at school and wants to do some in their spare time too, Centre for Life’s Science Club for 6-14 year olds includes hands-on experiments and things to make around a different theme each month (details at www.life.org.uk – search for Science Club).

New for this year are our weekend Science Sessions for teenagers (13 and above). No membership is required to attend the sessions, anyone interested can join the Facebook group (Newcastle ScienceSessions) or sign up to the mailing list on sciencesessions@life.org.uk and book into sessions that they’d like to attend. Topics for science sessions are decided collaboratively between Life staff and the participants and have included DNA fingerprinting, make your own robot and (very) Energetic Chemistry.

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